Exceptional People Impacting the Community (EPIC) 2025

Save the Date!

Mental Health America is excited to announce the 29th annual EPIC Awards Luncheon. This year’s event will take place on Wednesday, May 21st, at the Jacaranda Country Club in Plantation, Florida.

 

Introducing the 2025 EPIC Awards Honorees!

Mental Health America of Southeast Florida (MHASEFL) and the Florida Initiative for Suicide Prevention (FISP) are proud to introduce the 2025 EPIC Awards Honorees, a distinguished group of leaders dedicated to advancing mental health and wellness in our community.

This year, we are honored to have the support and participation of:

🔹 Representative Daryl Campbell – Florida State Representative, House District 99
🔹 John Glover – South Florida Wellness Network (SFWN)
🔹 Dr. Jim Lopresti – SunServe
🔹 Josh Plantz – Memorial Healthcare System
🔹 Julie Russell –  Wondherful Inc.
🔹 Denneshia Spratt – Henderson Behavioral Health

Each of these outstanding individuals has made a lasting impact through their dedication to mental health advocacy, critical service provision, and community empowerment. Their leadership and commitment continue to drive meaningful change in Southeast Florida.

🎉 Join us as we celebrate their contributions at the
29th Annual EPIC Awards on Wednesday, May 21, 2025,
11:30AM at the Jacaranda Country Club in Plantation.

This awards luncheon will recognize exceptional efforts in mental health and raise vital funds for programs that support individuals and families in our community.

We invite you to be a part of this inspiring event!

#EPICAwards2025 #CommunityLeadership #MHASEFL #FISP #MentalHealthAction

Inaugural South Florida Mental Wellness Summit & Expo

Sponsored by Mental Health America of Southeast Florida
📅 October 23, 2025 | 📍 Charles F. Dodge City Center, Pembroke Pines, FL

 

Mental Health America of Southeast Florida (MHASEFL) is proud to present the Inaugural South Florida Mental Wellness Summit & Expo, a premier event dedicated to breaking the stigma surrounding mental health and fostering a culture of wellness, resilience, and support throughout our communities.

This one-day summit will bring together:

  • Healthcare Providers – Doctors, nurses, mental health professionals, and social workers who serve those in need and want to access additional resources for improving community health.

  • First Responders & Guidance Counselors – Law enforcement, paramedics, firefighters, and guidance counselors who encounter mental health and wellness crises daily, seeking training and resources to enhance their responses and better support individuals in crisis.

  • Public Safety and Crisis Intervention Teams – Individuals and organizations focused on addressing mental health and wellness challenges in emergency, educational, and public settings, looking for new approaches and tools to improve their impact.

What to Expect:

Dynamic Speaker Sessions – Expert-led discussions covering the latest in mental health trends, workplace wellness, youth mental health, trauma-informed care, and more.
Interactive Wellness Expo – Discover mental health resources, local services, and innovative wellness products.
Networking Opportunities – Engage with like-minded individuals and professionals dedicated to mental health advocacy and support.
Hands-on Workshops & Activities – Practical strategies to promote emotional well-being, resilience, and mindfulness.
Keynote Address by Leading Mental Health Advocate

Whether you are a mental health professional, a caregiver, an advocate, or simply someone passionate about wellness, this summit is designed to empower, educate, and inspire.

🎟 Registration opens soon! Stay updated by following us on Instagram @sflmentalwellnesssummit and visiting our webpage 

Together, let’s create a healthier, more resilient South Florida! 💙 #SFMentalWellnessSummit #EndTheStigma #MentalWellnessMatters

 

Sponsorship Tiers 

 

Participants of FISP’s International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day Journey of Hope and Healing Event are invited to support our mission through sponsorship. Your support is deeply valued and we would like to acknowledge your contribution with the following titles. Your support can be recognized by the following: 

 

Butterfly Sponsor 

A Gift of $1000 or more 

Two-Page Spread Advertisement or Acknowledgement in our Event Program.  

Display table at the event 

Logo or Name on select credited items (including program, tote bags, and other printed materials). 

 

Chrysalis Sponsor 

A Gift of $500 or more 

Display table at the event 

Full-Page Advertisement or Acknowledgement in the event program 

Logo or Name on select credited items (including program, tote bags, and other printed materials). 

 

Caterpillar Sponsor 

A Gift of $250 or more 

Half-Page Advertisement or Acknowledgement in the event program 

Logo or Name on select credited items (including program, tote bags, and other printed materials). 

 

All logos, advertisements, memorials, acknowledgements, are to be provided by the sponsor and are subject to prior approval. Table contents are also subject to prior approval. Please email [email protected] for more information.  

Mental health resources, May 2024.

This May marks the 75th anniversary since Mental Health America started what is now Mental Health Month. Have you started planning what you’re going to do?

MHA has FREE tools and resources to get you started and save you time.

  • Posters
  • Communications templates
  • Social media assets
  • Handouts
  • And more!

 

Whether you’re looking to work on your own well-being, organize activities for your workplace, become an advocate for mental health, or put together resources for your community, MHA’s toolkit has something for everyone.

Download the toolkit

P.S. – MHA’s book, "Where to Start," is now available in paperback! Get your copy at

store.mhanational.org.

Sponsorship Tiers 

 

Participants of FISP’s International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day Journey of Hope and Healing Event are invited to support our mission through sponsorship. Your support is deeply valued and we would like to acknowledge your contribution with the following titles. Your support can be recognized by the following: 

 

Butterfly Sponsor 

A Gift of $1000 or more 

Two-Page Spread Advertisement or Acknowledgement in our Event Program.  

Display table at the event 

Logo or Name on select credited items (including program, tote bags, and other printed materials). 

 

Chrysalis Sponsor 

A Gift of $500 or more 

Display table at the event 

Full-Page Advertisement or Acknowledgement in the event program 

Logo or Name on select credited items (including program, tote bags, and other printed materials). 

 

Caterpillar Sponsor 

A Gift of $250 or more 

Half-Page Advertisement or Acknowledgement in the event program 

Logo or Name on select credited items (including program, tote bags, and other printed materials). 

 

All logos, advertisements, memorials, acknowledgements, are to be provided by the sponsor and are subject to prior approval. Table contents are also subject to prior approval. Please email [email protected] for more information.  

Give Back Monday: Bona Italian donates 10%
Florida disaster preparedness sales tax holiday.
A flyer for the annual meeting of the board of directors.
News from National
June 15, 2023
 
Get ready for BIPOC Mental Health Month with new tools and resources

Mental Health America is excited to announce the release of its 2023 BIPOC Mental Health Toolkit to commemorate July as Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, also known as BIPOC Mental Health Month.

This year's theme, Culture, Community, & Connection, focuses on how surroundings impact mental health and overall wellness. While Black, Indigenous, and people of color populations have faced and continue to experience disproportionate amounts of trauma, displacement, oppression, and systemic racism, BIPOC communities thrive with culture, community, and connection. Learn more in these new and free resources.

Download the toolkit
 
Share MHA resources for Pride Month

Spread the joy of Pride this month with Mental Health America's social media graphics. Pride Month is a time for the LGBTQ+ community to celebrate their identities and their community’s fight for social progress, but this year has been difficult with the mental health impact of hate toward the LGBTQ+, and especially trans, community. Mental health risks decrease when a person can live as their whole self and is supported by loved ones and the broader community. Whether you are a part of this community, an ally, or just curious, our new Pride resources, including webinars and podcasts, highlight affirming identities and spaces.

Learn more
 
 
Thank you for making the 2023 Mental Health America Conference a success!

Mental Health America welcomed 800 in-person and 10,000 online attendees at last week's 2023 Mental Health America Conference. Over five days, we hosted inspiring keynotes and 45 breakout sessions from incredible speakers. We explored Next Gen Prevention and discussed promoting well-being, preventing illness, increasing resilience, fostering recovery, and more. Thank you to our sponsors, speakers, and attendees for an unforgettable event. Check out the daily highlights:

· Policy Institute recap

· Affiliate Day recap

· Day 1 recap

· Day 2 recap

· Day 3 recap

A group of people that are standing up.
A poster for the event with a picture of a butterfly.
A flyer for an event with the name of the event and address.
LTC volunteer training: July 21 & 22, 2022
Hope & Healing virtual workshop, July 26, 2022.
A poster for the annual meeting of mihaz and fisp.
A poster for the better together community resource fair.
988: New mental health crisis hotline.
A poster with some words in it

EPIC 2022

Exceptional People Impacting the Community (EPIC) 2022 marks Mental Health America's 26th annual celebration of EPIC. This year's "EPIC Awards Luncheon" will take place on Wednesday, May 25th at the Signature Grand located in Davie. 

Providers, professionals, advocates and clients are encouraged to generate nominations from the community.

Since 1996 MHA has honored over two-hundred community leaders who have made a positive contribution to the mental wellness of others in our community.  

Event sponsors opportunities and ticket sales are also now available

Proceeds will benefit the programs and advocacy of MHA including Florida Initiative for Suicide Prevention including our New LOSS program; Adult Services including the 9MusesArtCenter, our SethLine warmline and wellness wellness; Parent & Family Services including our new HEAL program; the Thumbody Programs; Listen to Children; Parenting Education/Parent Support.

For more information, feel free to call our offices at 954-746-2055.

A picture of an image with some shapes.

STARR AWARDS

Please mark your calendars and get ready to celebrate with us! 

The STARR Awards Celebration is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec 22, 2021 at 12:00 PM Central Time.

Register in advance for this meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUkc-uoqDkqE9RfZ1S46pPfskcJI4zYXOBc

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

We look forward to seeing you on zoom!

The STARR Coalition

www.thestarr.org

Man in striped shirt holding award.

Greetings,

As you know our Annual meeting will be conducted on Thursday July 15 starting at 6:30 pm on a zoom link and we originally had decided to conduct a hybrid event.  However with an unknown number of potential in person arrivals we have decided to conduct this meeting only in a virtual format in an abundance of caution.   We recognize that this event typically is conducted in person with entertainment however since there be no entertainment we can conduct our board business all virtually without any risk.   Thank you for your support and we hope to see you all virtually on July 15.  

Annual meeting, July 15th, 6:30 PM.
Julie's run/walk-a-thon for Floie.

ANNUAL EPIC AWARDS VIRTUAL

May 12, 2021

Exceptional People Impacting the Community (EPIC) 2020 would have marked Mental Health America's 25th annual celebration of EPIC. For the health and safety of our community, we will celebrate with our 2020 EPIC Honorees virtually on May 12, 2021.

Since 1996 MHA has honored close to two-hundred community leaders who have made a positive contribution to the mental wellness of others in our community.

Event sponsors opportunities and ticket sales are also available.

Proceeds will benefit the programs and advocacy of MHA including the 9Muses Art Center; the Thumbody Programs; Listen to Children; Parenting Education/Parent Support (PEPS); and the SETH Line Warm Line. 

For more information, feel free to call our offices at (954) 746-2055

 

A group of people standing in front of each other.

2019 Epic Award Nominees & Recognition

Mental Health America of Southeast Florida would like to congratulate the 2019 EPIC Award honorees!

  • Allen Giese
  • Gayle Giese
  • Michael Houghtaling
  • Hung Nguyen, M.D....
  • Rick Riccardi
  • Senator Nan Rich
  • Claudia Vicencio, Ph.D.

Thank you for your continued service and dedication to improve the lives of those our community.

Gratitude For Giving

The Sierra Tuscon "Gratitude For Giving" Visionary Award was presented to MHASEFL Adult Services Director, Chris Yoculan. Chris was honored for his years of dedication to improvement of the mental health care system and fighting for the rights of individuals with mental health issues. (Chris 2nd from left)

A group of people holding awards in front of a wall.
A group of people standing in front of a sign.

Wilton Manors Lights Up Green

Wilton Manors lights up Green for Mental Health Awareness Month and presents Mental Health America with proclamation supporting people with mental illness in their community!
"Thank you to all for your support, we had a good turnout "
Paul Jaquith

2021 NEWSLETTERS